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GOSHEN TOWNSHIP -- Township trustees swore in a new full-time police officer and awarded the bid for the Stratton Road project in a special meeting Monday.
The trustees and Police Chief John Calko welcomed Trevor Hovanec to the Goshen Police District. A recent graduate of the Kent State University Police Academy and an Austintown native, Hovanec will be a "great fit for the department," according to Calko.
In other business, the bid for the township's chip and seal project on Stratton Road was awarded to Specialized Construction for $124, 425.50, less than the engineer's estimate of $132, 551. There was one lower bidder, Geauga Coatings at an amount of $89, 358.41; however, they did not follow the specifications of the bid package, using an unapproved product for the fog seal, and were eliminated as a result.
"We really only have one bidder who followed the specifications," said Trustee Shawn Mesler.
The project engineer noted that had there been more time an addendum authorizing alternative product could potentially have been made to the project specifications, and that trustees could potentially turn down both bids and rebid the project with the alternative product as a listed alternate next year.
Trustee Teresa Stratton said that the township was ready to begin the project, sentiments echoed by Mesler, who noted that the township had already purchased asphalt in preparation for the project.
"I don't think the residents would be happy if we waited another year," said Mesler.
The township will only have to pay for 61% of the total project cost, approximately $55,899.56. The remaining 39%, or approximately $48,525.50 of the project expenses, will be paid through a grant from the Ohio Public Works Commission. The township's share of the expense will be paid through funds from a five-year 0.25% sales tax increase in Mahoning County which was narrowly approved by voters in 2021 for road and bridge improvements in the county. Of the roughly $9 million generated annually by this tax, approximately $4 million is set aside for improvements to township roads in the county.
As part of using these funds for the project, trustees also passed a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding with the county for the use of the sales tax funds for the project.
The board of trustees will meet next at 7 p.m. Aug. 14.